Who said "The only regret he had was not having died."?

This quote is attributed to Florentino Ariza.

The only regret he had was not having died. - Florentino Ariza

"The only regret he had was not having died."

Florentino Ariza Death

Character in Love in the Time of Cholera

"No, not rich. I am a poor man with money, which is not the same thing."

"He had always said that no one deserved a long life."

"He was not capable of living without her, but he was capable of living with her absence."

"He would wait for her for the rest of his life if he had to."

"Death doesn't scare me anymore."

"Death and I are old friends."

"Welcome to my world."

"Death is just the beginning."